RANSOM

US, 1977, 90 minutes, Colour.
Oliver Reed, Deborah Raffin, Stuart Whitman, John Ireland, Paul Koslo.
Directed by Richard Compton.

Ransom is a tough thriller, directed by Richard Compton (Macon County Line, Return to Macon County). While it has some interest A social issues (big businessmen and land deals) and some Indian traditions (the vengeful hero using Indian warrior techniques), the film is generally a colourful actioner which stays with action rather than theme. Oliver Reed seems an unlikely choice for the tough private detective. Stuart Whitman is much more convincing as the obsessive businessman. The supporting cast is quite strong and includes Deborah Raffin and John Ireland. Paul Koslo, a villain in so many films (especially with Charles Bronson) is the most convincing of all.

It could have been a much more successful and thoughtful film.

1. The impact of this kind of thriller? Tough, action, violence? Crime? Big business? Indian traditions?

2. The emphasis on technical flair: chases, cars, helicopters? Action sequences and battles? Colour photography, locations? Dramatic score?

3. The title and its focus on Victor? His quotation from Indian myths? Themes of ownership of the land, big businessmen and their deals?

4. Oliver Reed as an American private detective? His tough, bullish image? Tough manner, relationship with Whitaker? His relationship with Cindy? His work on the case, skill at detection, confrontation of Victor? the chases, the massacre, the helicopter flight? The irony of. his absconding with the money and Cindy? A cynical hero?,

5. Whitaker and his associates? Wealth,, society background, contacts with the police? Corruption and manipulation? Whitaker's obsession? His finally going after Victor? His death?

6. Victor and his impact? Motivation? The quotations? Picturing him as an Indian warrior? The background about his sports achievement? His holding the wealthy to ransom? His moving in their world? In his own warrior world? The killings, the police station? The chases, the motor bike? His surviving in the hills? The confrontations? Whitaker? His death?

7. The police? The chief and his contact with Whitaker? Manipulation? Supporting Nick?

8. Cindy as reporter, contact with Nick, unscrupulous? The final cynical leaving with the money?

9. The blend of action sequences, theme, thriller techniques? Typical action entertainment of the '70s?